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A Review of "Spark Joy"

After reading Marie Kondo's "The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up" I was so excited to see her companion "master class" on tidying up.  The first book gave a wonderful outline of her principles, but as a Mom I was left with a few questions on how to tackle the "miscellaneous" section and specifically wondered why she didn't address how to organize things like T.O.Y.S.   Oh, the toys! 

Marie clearly distinguishes between tidying and cleaning, which I appreciate. Tidying deals with stuff, cleaning deals with dirt. But if you have a tidy home filled with only things you love, it's easier to deal with the dirt.  Instead of looking at decluttering as "what do I have to get rid of?" you think, "what do I get to keep?  What sparks joy?"  I wondered after her first book though about those necessities...surely it is impractical to get rid of my hammer just because I don't feel joy when I look at it??  This second book answers that question.

While this book could stand alone, it isn't meant to.  She does briefly cover the principles of her tidying process as well as what "joy" feels like, but most of the content is a more in-depth instruction manual for some of those miscellaneous items around the house.  Toys are still barely mentioned, but they are mentioned.  She also talks A LOT about how to fold things and there are pictures!  It's perfect for those visual learners out there. 

I read through the book front to back in less than three hours.  I LOVE her principles on tidying up.  I was FINALLY able to let go of those old clothes that I used to love but that are worn out or don't fit.  My perspective on gifts changed and I feel a lot less obligation to keep things that I don't use or need. My questions on those necessities were answered.  I am even more conscious of what I buy,  asking myself if it truly brings me joy BEFORE I bring it home.  Her books have been a helpful tool for me, but here are a few critiques that I have on this sequel.

For me, folding all my clothes according to her instructions is not going to happen.  If my clothes get folded at all I count that as a win. And I'm totally ok with that.  I do not feel less joyful because my clothes are piled in drawers or hung up randomly.  I was tempted to feel like a failure because of this, but that's silly. Parts of the book/her organizational method feel a bit obsessive.   It is more important to me that I teach my kids to be respectful of those with whom they live (by putting away their belongings and picking up after themselves) than that they fold their underwear a certain way. I get her purpose behind it, but I'm just sayin'.

The readers should know that Marie Kondo is Japanese and has a Buddhist influence and that REALLY comes out in this book even more than in the first.  I actually enjoyed learning about the culture and saw that as a bonus, but just be aware that she talks a lot about fung sheui and treating her possessions as if they have souls.  It's a bit different for those not accustomed to the cultural and religious views.

In summary, I think the book fulfilled it's purpose as a sort of "master class" after her first book.  I enjoyed it, but definitely would recommend reading her books in order.  




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